Machine Receives First Overall Expansion Draft Pick

The Ohio Machine, which begins its inaugural season as part of Major League Lacrosse in May 2012, received the first overall pick in the 2011 MLL Expansion Draft, as well as the first overall pick in the 2011 MLL Supplemental Draft, after a coin flip between the Machine and fellow newcomers the Charlotte Hounds.

The Expansion Draft will be held on December 7 followed by the Supplemental Draft on December 14. Both drafts will take place via teleconference between all teams participating. The current six MLL teams will protect up to 12 players on their current roster from being taken during the December 7 draft. The maximum number of players each current team can lose is six. The Machine and Hounds will be allowed to trade expansion picks to existing teams.

“We are excited to hold the first overall picks for the upcoming Expansion and Supplemental Drafts,” said President and General Manager John Algie. “We have the opportunity to select from some of the best players in the world and make them cornerstones of the Ohio Machine.”

Along with the first picks in the Expansion and Supplemental Drafts, the Machine also received the second overall pick for the 2012 MLL Collegiate Draft, which takes place on January 13, 2012 in Philadelphia. All 2012 MLL teams will be drafting from the 2012 NCAA senior class with those drafted players eligible to join their respective teams at the conclusion of their senior season.

From the end of the Supplemental Draft through the end of training camp, the Machine are allowed to have a roster of up to 40 active players, not including collegiate draft picks or other inactive players. During the regular season, the Machine is allowed up to 25 active players eligible to dress for MLL games.

The Machine recently announced it will be playing its 2012 inaugural season at historic Selby Stadium at Ohio Wesleyan University and season ticket deposits are available now for only $20.12 at www.theohiomachine.com. Season ticket packages will be announced at a later date but most season tickets will be priced at $100 for all seven home games.